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Some Gaza restrictions eased

December 27, 2012

Israel is allowing the import of construction material into the Gaza Strip for the first time since 2007. The move is part of a ceasefire agreement between with Hamas after eight days of deadly fighting in November.

https://p.dw.com/p/179Hg
Egyptian soldiers are seen near the Kerem Shalom crossing, a zone where the Israeli, Egyptian and Gaza borders intersect and where an Egyptian military vehicle that was seized by Islamist gunmen tried to storm the border into Israel on Sunday, August 8, 2012. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Image: Reuters

Israel will allow 20 daily truckloads of construction material into Gaza for use in the private sector, Israel Radio reported Wednesday. The transportation of the material will start next week.

The agreement also includes authorization for heavy construction equipment, including trucks and buses.

Israel first imposed its blockade on Gaza in 2006. That closure became nearly total blockade a year later when Hamas took control of the strip, and only basic goods were allowed into the occupied territory.

Since 2010, construction material for projects by international aid agencies has been allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Exports from Gaza remains highly restricted, as does the movement of people.

dr/mr (AFP, dpa)